Page 17 of Jasper

If she had her wits about her, she might have resisted a little, but help her, she’d craved his kiss for seven long years, and now that she had it, she didn’t want it to end.

He fisted her shirt at her lower back and pulled her closer, until she could feel the ridge of his erection against her stomach as he bent her back slightly and deepened the kiss.

She clutched at him, adrift in the surge of emotions that being in his arms again brought forth. This was better than all her fantasies.

Jasper, here in the flesh.

Solid muscles, the deep and sweet scent of his arousal that mixed with hers between them, and the way she felt small and protected in his strong arms. She could hear the rumble of his wolf in his chest and an ache grew in the center of her body as heat spread through her.

As abruptly as the kiss had started, it ended. He took a step away from her.

Immediately, she hated the loss of his heat, and she rubbed her arms.

“You should rest,” he said. “I’ll come get you later this afternoon.”

The door shut as he walked away from her, leaving her alone in the apartment.

What the hell had happened? Why had he walked away?

Turning from the door, she explored the apartment and then stretched out on the bed in the master suite. She wasn’t sure if sleep would come because she had some serious questions banging around in her skull after that kiss.

She just didn’t know what the future would bring.

Jasper stoodat the apartment door and panted, his wolf rolling under his skin and demanding to go back inside.

The last thing he needed to do was go into the apartment again. If he saw Melody, he’d want to haul her over his shoulder and carry her to the bedroom to mate her like he’d always wanted to. Sinking his fangs into her neck and marking her as his for everyone to see.

He’d never gotten a chance.

And now he wasn’t sure what to make of her sudden appearance, the danger in his former pack, and the truth that they’d just shared.

None of those issues were going to be easy to deal with.

He looked over his shoulder at the closed door.

Had she really thought he’d simply walked away from her?

Had something happened to the letter he’d sent and she’d not realized he would have come for her?

All these years he’d walked away to protect her, but he’d been willing to face any danger to have her in his arms again, if only she’d reached out.

Hell, maybe she hadn’t even known where he was.

Shit.

He purposely strode away from the apartment because he needed time to think.

The park wouldn’t open for a few hours, so he wandered, stopping at the carousel and staring at the gleaming horses, golden in the morning light. The park was quiet, but he could hear some sounds from the bird sanctuary and petting zoo, and the squeak of wheels as the custodians began the rounds to clean the park before guests arrived.

As he made his way back to the employee cafeteria, he was no closer to figuring anything out than when he’d left the apartment. All he knew was that he wanted to go back and be with her, and he wasn’t sure what to do with that feeling.

Once he was inside the cafeteria, he headed down the stairs to the wolves’ private living area where he showered and dropped onto the bed to rest. It was going to be a long night ahead, and he wanted to be at his best to help set Finn and Viola free.

What happened after that was anyone’s guess.

Jasper slept fitfully, feeling more tired after resting than he had when he’d laid down. His wolf wouldn’t settle, anxious to see Melody again.

He wanted to see her too, but he still wasn’t sure what to do with all he’d learned.

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